---- this is hard for you to accept, but please understand... Ethan needs a mate who can bring a stronger bloodline to the pack." She paused, her voice even softer. "And... if you really cared about Caleb, why didn't you let him attend the coming-of-age ceremony last night? That was the most important moment of his life..." Murmurs immediately spread through the crowd. "Yeah, the Alpha's son really wasn't there last night..." "The coming-of-age ceremony is so important, how could a mother stop him?" "Is she so jealous of Scarlett that she's neglecting her own son?" Ethan's face darkened, his voice full of threat. " Regina, you better give me a reasonable explanation. Why didn't Caleb attend the ceremony last night?" ---- I looked at this pair of despicable wolves on the stage, at these opportunistic, hypocritical so- called allies below, and my heart was ice cold. But my voice remained calm. "Because some things are more important than a ceremony." "More important?" Scarlett feigned a shocked expression. "Regina, sister, nothing is more important than a werewolf's coming-of-age ceremony! It's our tradition, our honor!" She turned to the crowd, her voice sharp. "And look at her, wearing mourning clothes to the full moon celebration! She's insulting all of us, insulting the Moon Goddess!" "That's right!" "This is too much!" "She's cursing the entire pack!" Angry voices came from all directions. ---- Ethan shot to his feet, releasing his Alpha dominance. "Regina! You've embarrassed me enough! Go back and change out of those clothes immediately, then publicly apologize to Scarlett and everyone here!" I clutched the ebony box in my arms, looking at the man on the stage who had once sworn to love and protect me for life. "Apologize?" I let out a small laugh. "Scarlett Reed, you're not worthy of even saying my son's name." The entire hall fell silent. Scarlett's face instantly paled, and she took a step back. "What... what did you say?" "T said," my voice was clear and cold, "you are not worthy to speak of my son."